State politicians offer condolences after Louisville Metro Council President Jim King dies

The condolences poured in after word spread throughout the state Thursday that Louisville Metro Council president Jim King had died.

The Louisville Courier-Journal reported Thursday that King, a banker, had been diagnosed with a blood cancer several years ago.

Gov. Steve Beshear issued a statement on King’s passing, calling his death a “terrible loss for all of us.”

“Jim loved working to make Louisville better, and every matter that came before the Metro Council, whether mundane or monumental, got his careful and detailed attention,” Beshear said. “The city was lucky to have such a dedicated elected official. Our thoughts are with his wife, Debbie, their four children, and grandchildren during this difficult time.”

U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, who represents Louisville in the U.S. House of Representatives, called King a “dedicated public servant … and businessman who worked tirelessly on behalf of Louisvillians, always putting our great city first.”

“My thoughts and prayers are with Deborah, their children and grandchildren, and the entire King family,” Yarmuth said.

Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes said she was a “shocked and saddened” to learn about King’s death.

“He was a respected businessman and an admirable public servant, and his death will leave a great void in Louisville and in Metro Government. Andrew and I send our thoughts and prayers to his family,” Grimes said in a statement.

King was 63 years old.

About Nick Storm

Nick Storm is the Anchor and Managing Editor of Pure Politics, the only nightly program dedicated to Kentucky politics. Nick covers all of the political heavyweights and his investigative work brings to light issues that might otherwise go unnoticed, like the connection between the high profile Steubenville, Ohio rape and a Kentucky hacker whose push for further investigation could put him in federal prison. Nick is also working on a feature length bio documentary Outlaw Poet: A documentary on Ron Whitehead. Follow Nick on Twitter @NickStorm_cn2. Nick can be reached at 502-792-1107 or nicholas.storm@charter.com.